DAP’s Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham claimed that Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon has committed “serious misconduct” when he purportedly rejected the nomination of Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said to become speaker.
It was reported that sources alleged a motion by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to nominate Azalina (above) as the new Dewan Rakyat speaker had been dismissed by Rashid, with no reason given.
“The role of the speaker and deputy speaker is to chair and ensure the smooth running of parliamentary sittings. They are in their respective positions through an election by the MPs.
“If the MPs propose or decide any change of the speaker or deputy speaker, the speaker and deputy speaker have no power to deny any such proposed changes,” Ngeh said in a statement today.
He urged Zahid to file a motion under Order 43 of the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Orders to reverse Rashid’s decision.
Rashid earlier rejected another motion from Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil to remove Azhar Azizan Harun as the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
“This is an affront to the highest democratic institution of our country,” Ngeh said.
As there are now two candidates the speaker’s post - Azhar and Azalina - as well as two candidates for the deputy speaker’s position – Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan and Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming, Ngeh said an election must be conducted.
“Even school children will be able to tell us that. If the speaker and deputy speaker cannot understand this basic rule of democracy, they should resign immediately,” Ngeh added.
He urged the speaker and deputy speaker to act honourably in their conduct and not hold onto their positions when they know their tenures are no longer tenable.
“We must continue this healthy tradition of acting honourably.
“It was for that reason I tendered my resignation as the speaker of the Perak state assembly on May 12, 2020 when some elected representatives from Pakatan Harapan shifted sides and why Nga resigned on July 13, 2020 as the deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat when some Harapan MPs also shifted sides,” Ngeh said. - Mkini
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